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    Marisella

    4.2 (109 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndItalian, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Marisella Photos

    MARISELLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Touristy
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Marisella

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    Beautiful setting
    Marina A.

    Beautiful ambiance! Great service! Delicious food! Amazing presentation! Gorgeous views of the shoreline and the ocean! Nice happy hour as well. Located inside The Ritz hotel. Loved it!

    Focaccia, olives, carpaccio
    Monika R.

    This was the most special dining experience during our stay in Santa Barbara. The staff, food, and ambiance were incredible. Compliments from the chef and complimentary dessert for our wedding anniversary. We tried multiple cocktails and each was uniquely delicious. Would 10/10 recommend and will definitely be back.

    Strawberry sorbet , so creamy refreshing.
    Joan M.

    This is a beautiful new restaurant at the Bacara Ritz Carlton in Santa Barbara. Great views looking the ocean. The food is stellar! This was our 2nd visit and we were impressed the first time and even more impressed this time!! This place is a foodies dream. Service was impeccable as well. Highly recommend a visit to this beautiful new restaurant. We will be back!!

    Traditional italian appetizer composed of cherry tomatoes, basil, olive oil, seasoned breadcrumbs
    Pedro G.

    If you're looking to dine in make reservations. They do get booked so a walk in is a gamble. Bar seating is 1st come 1st serve with access to full menu. The restaurant is small but offers great views. Portion sizes are small, BUT simple and flavorful. We ordered their marinated cucumbers, Orecchiette, and Shrimp & Lobster ravioli. The explosion of flavors brought by the food is worth every nickle and dime! For those not staying at the hotel valet parking is the only option offered, enjoy!!

    Menu
    Hope M.

    Went in for a quick bite and drinks for happy hour. The staff was friendly, and gave us good recommendations for food and drinks. We ordered lychee drinks, steak tartare, and arancini. One of my friends is a picky eater. She doesn't like the texture of raw meats and seafood, however, she enjoyed the steak tartare. Honestly, it was a little too salty for our tastes but still very good. The lychee and arancini was a fan favorite.

    Beautiful entryway!
    Rose A.

    Wow!!! This place is stunning!!! Gorgeous entryway, beautiful decor throughout, stunning ocean views, welcoming staff & delicious cocktails & appetizers. After a relaxing day at the Bacara spa, we made it to Happy Hour at Marisella! The bartenders Richie & Bernice were amazing! From the moment we sat at the lovely bar they made us feel welcome & Richie made the best cocktails! He checked on us frequently enough to ensure we had the best first impression of Marisella! He provided great recommendations & had a charming personality! I'm already planning my next visit! Nothing better than great ambiance paired with top notch service!

    Apple Crostata
    Rachel R.

    We had the most delightful dinner here. The service was immaculate, as you can see in the video Austin so kindly made us tableside tiramisu. Great service all around from ALL staff! The food was good. I'm a huge brown butter sage pasta gal, it was okay, but I wouldn't order it again nothing special. It would have been great to add a sweet component in there somehow. I just got back from Italy so perhaps I'm being harsh. I'd recommend getting another main! The deserts were both great but I liked the apple crostata best! We had a large group and though they didn't have enough tables for us (we neglected to make a reservation as we didn't plan to have time, so that's on us) they were so accommodating and moved tables together for us!

    Perfectly baked focaccia with whipped ricotta and divinely seared squash blossoms.

    Delicious! Every single bite! The service is great, the atmosphere is comfortably upscale, and the food is spot on. I would highly recommend getting the whipped ricotta and the focaccia bread. This is not your average focaccia! Outstanding is an understatement! The squash blossoms were also wildly successful. They also offer a tomato and herb martini. I was nervous to order it, but it was one of the best drinks I've ever had. It's like a subtle herb garden in your mouth. Definitely on the pricey side, but it's not just dinner, it's a dining experience. Our server was Korin and he was delightful!

    Cassie D.

    We stopped by this restaurant after a day of wine tasting in downtown Santa Barbara on Halloween. We were a little hungry after wine tasting and decided to sit at the bar for something quick -- we didn't want to wait for a table, just wanted to eat, have a nightcap, and head back to our room. We ordered the filet mignon, the meatballs, and some greens. Everything was delicious and satisfying -- exactly what we needed after a long day. The gentleman at the bar was great -- very friendly and attentive (I wish I remembered his name!). However, the young lady who initially greeted us, I believe her name was Bernice, wasn't as welcoming. It honestly felt like we were inconveniencing her, which left a bit of a sour first impression. Because of that, I'm taking one star off. Overall, though, it was a nice experience, and I'd still come back -- especially for the food and the relaxing atmosphere at the bar.

    Steak Was reordered twice and still was overcooked and extremely small
    Lana L.

    Really disappointed in this place. I changed my previous reservation in another restaurant just because when I saw the view from this one I really wanted to stay here for dinner. So first of all we was waiting for our order forever , then our dishes was delivered to a wrong table and then when the waiter realized it he took it from the wrong table and brought to us. my dish was wrong , the steak we returned twice and the size of it was microscopic! The branzino for two looked like branzino for one. The waiter was nice but absolutely unknowable of anything's service was too long and food was extremely small and not cooked the way we asked. The restaurant itself is very beautiful and the views are incredible.

    Chantel S.

    I enjoyed my previous experience but came back for a birthday celebration and was let down. I requested a table along the window and was not given it even when one appeared open. Instead I was at a table in the middle of the busiest walkway with staff constantly walking past. When asked about adjusting it and shared my request ahead of time the hostess was confused at first and did look into it, but then I was told that the table along the window was PAID ahead of time to be reserved. I was disappointed to find that paying a deposit for a table was an acceptable policy and think it is unfair to the other customers. It detracted from the experience.

    carajillo - sooooo goood!
    Hajir S.

    Marisella is new and comes with both the exciting aspects of a new restaurant, and the growing pains. The restaurant has the potential to truly shine and be one of the best spots in Santa Barbara, but right now it's firing hard on some cylinders, and missing others - however the overall experience is good, and if you're staying at the Ritz Carlton Bacara you should do yourself the service of staying on property for dinner here for one of your nights. The cocktail list is splendid - the Mister Carlton is fantastic with tequilla, mezcal, just real flavors of Santa Barbara. Great way to kick off the meal alongside the tomatoes, local olive oil, and tomato salt. I would add the focaccia and some of the accompaniments. It's worth it, and while my wife loved the tomato sauce pot, I loved the whipped ricotta. Wine list also quite stellar, especially if you're into California wines. I wouldn't hesitate to think a bit outside the box from what you normally order - the options are there, but even if drinking by the glass, your options are really wonderful, though pricey. They have Uni on the menu as an appetizer, though I got it on my lobster ravioli. I cannot say enough times that you should be eating Uni when you're in Santa Barbara. Uni tastes better when it's fresh, and it is certainly fresh here. It was a wonderful treat to have, and the pasta while running $44 was worth it thanks to the Uni. The crudos are a great way to start and the red snapper one is so fresh. Hard to not like that. The Lamb Pasta is more of a comfort food and calming. The sides are all nice but expensive and potentially not worth it when you could do another crudo or something. Dessert is good, but the real way to close out this meal is their Carajillo. Then head back to your room and have a great time - or find valet and hope you didn't drink too much...

    Javier J.

    I went to Marisella about a week or so after they opened. Emily took great care of us. The timing of the food was awful, but Emily made sure things were made up for, and I appreciate that. The focaccia with its dips is all worth trying. My two favorites were the whipped ricotta and the dip in the pot. Clams casino (+), although potentially no longer available per their online menu Squash blossom (+) Snapper crudo (+) was very heavy on the olive oil, but because of the fish's more neutral taste, this worked out. Garden greens salad (+) dates and pistachios add pizazz to this salad. It is well-balanced and exciting at every bite Shrimp scallop ravioli (+/-) neither hit nor miss, maybe there is just a little too much going on with it, but the flavors didn't mix well for me Lamb Ragu (+) the lamb is a nice addition that adds the earthy and gamey flavors to a pasta that allows for that Filet Mignon (+) I prefer mine as a full barrel cut portion, but the tenderness of the meat here made me less picky for the moment. It was terrific, and although filets are not necessarily known for their high fat content, it had enough to take away from the potential boredom that ribeye lovers complain about when it comes to these cuts. Their cocktails vary from good to great, and their wine options will have something for lovers of pairings. The dessert that I tried was their tableside tiramisu, which I loved because it wasn't overly sweet and kept it simple, which is what a tiramisu should always be. When I saw this was being opened by the same restaurant group that runs Maple and Ash, I had to try as much as possible. Now, they have a good baseline, and it's worth a try. If I had to nitpick, I'd ask for more attention on the pastas; less is more sometimes.

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    Ask the Community - Marisella

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    Samsara Wine

    Samsara Wine

    4.9
    (48 reviews)
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    We have been visiting this wine shop once a year for the past few years and look forward to it…read moreevery time. It's very unassuming but that's the best part. Chill vibes. We sit out in the outdoor patio that's basically a part of the parking lot with our dog (and now toddler) and it's great. We love the rose the best and most recently, got a taste of the Chardonnay. Jack has been the man every time except we met Hailey (? Sorry if I got your name wrong) this time and they are wonderful.

    Samsara winery is located about 10-15 minutes away from Santa Barbara, and tucked away off Los…read moreCarneros Rd. I love checking out new wineries I haven't been to, and came across this one on Tik Tok. There's ample parking here with other small businesses in this little plaza. Such as Captain Fatty's Brewery and Green Star coffee. The winery itself is located around the corner once you drive in. Look for the signage directing you towards the back. They have a nice outdoor patio area, but I chose to sit inside on my visit. I was the only person there most likely because it was a weekday. I decided to do a tasting of the reds. It was $30, which seemed a little high but the wine is from the Santa Rita Hills region. Anyone who knows about STA. is aware that they have the best Pinots. I enjoyed each tasting and Julie was really good at explaining each pour. The Pinot and Syrah/Grenache/Mourvèdre were my favorites. I also appreciate that I didn't get a headache after sampling the wines. That's a huge plus! Overall, I had a nice experience here. I would love to come back and try their wine specials and listen to live music on a Sunday Funday afternoon.

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    Samsara Wine
    Indoor seating
    Indoor seating
    Always delicious swirling here at Samsara. Even better with tasting room mascot Gus.

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    Always delicious swirling here at Samsara. Even better with tasting room mascot Gus.
    Aperitivo

    Aperitivo

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    Not the first and definitely not the last we'll be here. Stumbled upon Aperitivo a few years ago,…read moreand it was some of the best and most authentic Italian food I'd ever had (even before knowing what real Italian food tasted like). Now that I've come back from Italy, I have a greater appreciation for Aperitivo and what it stands for. Definitely fell in love with the concept of aperitivo in Italy, and this restaurant really embodies that concept. Sat down and got myself a Negroni. It was pretty damn good and close to what a real negroni would taste like if it had Campari. Was pleasantly surprised that they gave us snacks on the side (in true spirit of aperitivo) and then proceeded to crush some crudo and mortadella sandwich. Afterwards, ended the night off with delicious affogato. Really brought me back to my time in Italy. The menu is always fresh and seasonal, so there's always something new to look forward to. Will definitely be back.

    Aperitivo is the place you come to for flavorful light bites and cocktails when you need to unwind,…read morebefore a night out on the town, a concert or catching up with friends. I'm still thinking of the pistachio gelato here. Hands down the best pistachio flavored gelato in town! I love how they served it with pieces of pistachio. First bite was heavenly. Sometimes you can't really taste the pistachio in a gelato, but clearly they've nailed it here. For eats, I tried the Crème di Carciofi. It's marinated artichoke and fava bean spread, confit garlic, pine nuts, mint, and olive oil. Served with toasted bread. This was excellent! It's comparable to hummus, but with a totally different flavor profile. Easily serves 2-3 people. I also ordered the Crudo. It was light, delicate and so fresh! This one is not shareable because it's too delicious to share. For cocktails you can't go wrong with a Spritz. I tried the Torino Spritz which was perfectly made and refreshing. The ambiance here is inviting and the music play list is such a vibe! Overall, a great place to check out if you're wanting a casual yet fun experience.

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    Inside view. Love the checkered floor
    Inside view. Love the checkered floor
    INSALATA DI RADICCHIO, PERE, NOCCIOLE, PARMIGIANO
    INSALATA DI RADICCHIO, PERE, NOCCIOLE, PARMIGIANO
    Inside view - Get here early because they get busy!

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    Inside view - Get here early because they get busy!

    Marisella - italian - Updated July 2026

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